The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Martin McHugh in Danville, Illinois (Photo: Machelle Long)

As time draws near the 150^th anniversary of the brave action for which Irish-born Martin McHugh was awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor during the Civil War, I would like to thank Damian Shiels for inviting me to do this guest post.

I was honored to work with a great group of extremely knowledgeable researchers and historians in the research of Seaman Martin McHugh following initiation of the research in 2010 by the United States Medal of Honor Historical Society. Our research group and the Historical Society were intent on a common goal of preserving the honor of this brave man who, with his wife Catherine, lay in an unmarked grave in Danville, Illinois for 105 years. On April 21, 2012, that unfortunate situation was rectified with a ceremony honoring Seaman McHugh. The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of his newly set U.S. government issued Medal of Honor grave marker which also marks the grave of his wife, Catherine.

The grave of Catherine McCue, Danville, Illinois (Photo: Machelle Long)

Seaman McHugh was born in 1837 in County Galway, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States in the early part of the 1850s.  His mother (Bridget McHugh) and three sisters (Bridget, Sarah, and Catherine) immigrated at approximately the same time although we have not been able to determine the exact time of his arrival in the United States or if he and all of his family members arrived together or at various times.

Seaman McHugh came to Danville, Illinois as early as 1856 where he worked as a laborer before enlisting in the United States Navy in October of 1862. The climax of his Civil War service was during an engagement with the Vicksburg batteries when, after heavy Confederate fire, the ship on which he was serving sank. Seaman McHugh and four of his shipmates were awarded the Medal of Honor by President Abraham Lincoln on July 17, 1863 for their brave actions during that engagement. Those actions included saving the lives of shipmates and the ship captain who could not swim.

He served in the Navy until June of 1865 when he returned to Danville, Illinois and began a career working in the coal mines which spanned nearly three decades. In October of 1865, he married Catherine Griffin and subsequently had five children. One child died in infancy, however he and Catherine raised four daughters, Mary (b.1866), twin daughters Katherine and Margaret (b.1869), and Sarah (b.1871). Mary later married Ed Rabbeson and eventually moved to Chicago and then on to the state of New York, Margaret (who was also known as Maggie) married Daniel Beam and settled in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois, and Sarah (who was also known as Sallie) was first married to Walter McElhaney then to Perg Smith and remained in Danville, Illinois. Katherine (who was often called Kate) never married and returned to Danville, Illinois after her father’s death to care for her mother. In the 1940s, she was shown living in Peoria, Illinois. There were known children born to Maggie and Sallie however no further generations could be traced.

Martin McHugh Information Board in Danville, Illinois (Photo: Machelle Long)

Seaman McHugh died at the National Soldier’s Home in Danville, Illinois on February 23, 1905. His funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Church in Danville (of which his sister Bridget and her husband John Flaherty were a founding family) and he was interred at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, now known as Resurrection Cemetery. Martin’s wife Catherine continued to live in Danville, Illinois until her death in December of 1910.

Our final goal and a hope that we have kept alive throughout the research of Seaman McHugh is to locate a living blood relative of Seaman Martin McHugh. Damian has been kind enough to allow me to reach out to his readers through this post in hopes that we might accomplish this. After more than a century of being forgotten, his honor and memory are now kept alive locally with speeches, remembrances, and memorial services. We think it fitting that his honor be shared with his family and we look forward to hearing from anyone who may have information on a family connection to Seaman McHugh.

If you have information that you feel may be of interest to Machelle in her efforts, please leave a comment on this post or email the site directly at irishamericancivilwar@gmail.com.

James Rowan O’Beirne during the American Civil War

On the 150^th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War little in Ireland is known about one Roscommon man’s significant contribution.

Jody Moylan.

Falling from the presidential balcony of the Ford Theatre, having leaped over the railings after he had landed the gunshot that would eventually kill Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth already knew he was a wanted man.

What he didn’t know was that Major James Rowan O’Beirne was to lead that hunt, and what he didn’t care to know was that O’Beirne was from Kilrooskey.

After Booth had bolted on horseback from the Washington theatre on that Good Friday night, April 14,1865, Lincoln was rushed to a boarding house across the street, where he lay dying.

O’Beirne escorted vice-president Andrew Johnston to the president’s bedside, after the second in command had himself avoided a similar fate when his would-be-killer George Atzerodt lost his nerve at the crucial moment.

Secretary of State William Seward wasn’t so lucky after a simultaneous attack saw him receive multiple stab wounds at the hands of Lewis Powell.

Merely days after Republican forces had restored the Union to end the American Civil War its top-brass had now received a damaging blow by Confederate sympathisers who, however late in the day, were intent on extracting their own pound of flesh.

Secretary of War Edwin Stanton circled the wagons in the back room of the infamous boarding house and issued O’Beirne with orders that he was “relieved from all other duty at this time, and directed to employ yourself and your detective force in the detection and arrest of the murderers of the President, and the assassins who attempted to murder Mr. Seward”.

The Roscommon native had, at this stage, vast experience in the theatre of war. As captain of the 37^th New York ‘Irish Rifles’ Infantry he was badly wounded by sniper fire to the chest, head and right leg at the 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville, on a day that was the second bloodiest in the entire American conflict.

Acting on Stanton’s instructions Major O’Beirne made his way through the capital’s streets in the small hours of April 15. He barged through the front doors of Kirkwood House, where Atzerodt had failed to go through with his orders. There O’Beirne discovered the room where the conspirator had been holed-up, and subsequently fled from. A loaded revolver was found under Atzerodt’s bed pillow and a Bowie knife was also seized. These discoveries led directly to Atzerodt’s arrest five days later at his cousin’s house in Germantown, Maryland.

O’Beirne’s main quarry, though, was Booth. An actor by trade and an idealist, he was far from any villainous stereotype. The fugitive was noted at the time for being “impossibly vain, preening, emotionally flamboyant, and possessed of raw talent and splendid élan”. With the help of a map of the upper Potomac that was picked up at Atzerodt’s quarters, a goose chase ensued along its banks that lasted for 12 days, where Booth sheltered from his Roscommon hunter in a thicket of pine.

When Booth crossed state boundaries into Virginia O’Beirne pinpointed him to the Garrett farm, a residence near the town of Bowling Green. The Major telegrammed war secretary Stanton, waiting for his cue to make a decisive move.

Here, by all accounts, office politics took over and Stanton pulled the Kilrooskey native from the case. Much of the lucrative reward on offer was to go to a personal favourite of Stanton’s – Lafayette C. Baker.

Along with his agents Baker finished the job Major O’Beirne had begun, smoking Booth out of a barn before he succumbed to gunfire. If O’Beirne’s monetary reward of $2,500 was paltry when compared with the hand he played at a crucial time in American history, his achievements thereafter are notable only in their magnitude.

James Rowan O’Beirne in later life

Born to Michael Haran O’Beirne and Eliza Rowan on September 25, 1839 (US Census, 1900), James spent his formative days at a family home in the townland of Cappagh near Kilrooskey, close to a place locally known as ‘Beirne’s Cross’. But Roscommon in those days was particularly ravaged by the Famine and the O’Beirnes took flight across the Atlantic where James’ father had numerous family connections.

James briefly trained as an attorney before signing up as a private in the 7^th New York Militia at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. His “gallant, distinguished and meritorious service” during the war led to a conferral of the high rank of Brigadier General in September, 1865.

Far from resting on his laurels, and despite his war wounds, the now General O’Beirne made an exit from the battle ground, going on to become a journalist and reporter for several newspapers, most notably the Washington Sunday Gazette as well as Washington correspondent for the New York Herald. On one particular assignment for the Herald he was said to have rode alongside the legendary General Custer during the Indian wars.

In February 1880, O’Beirne was amongst the welcoming party for the arrival of Charles Stewart Parnell on his stateside trip, a visit where the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party addressed Congress. As only the fourth foreign leader to address the House Parnell was the first Irishman to do so. James O’Beirne is credited by The New York Times as having been the key component in bringing that about.

The Cappagh man spent a period as second in command at immigration on Ellis Island, during the 1890s, watching over the many fellow Irish men and women who passed through America’s largest gateway.

One of the more interesting honours bestowed on O’Beirne was decoration by the Venezuelan government, after he had ensured the securing and safe passage of a United States gunboat for the country’s former president, General Jose Antonio Paez, who died in exile in New York.

Befitting a man whose life was all encompassing, in January 1891 Brigadier General James Rowan O’Beirne received the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government, the Congressional medal of honour, for actions of bravery “beyond the call of duty” during the Civil War.

In retirement he died on February 17, 1917 at his New York residence, 352 West 117^th Street. After his wife before him, Martha S. Brennan, had passed away he was survived only by his daughter, Gertrude Marie. Gertrude remained childless and as a result he has no direct descendants.

His grave at Calvary cemetery in Queens serves us now as a great reminder of possibility, as well as the achievements of ex-patriots. He remains, at once, one of the county’s great sons and a legend to live up to. But impossible, surely, to surpass.

Note – To commemorate the close to 200,000 Irish who fought in the American Civil War plans for a monument and trail connecting over 40 Irish sites of interest are in their formative stages. For information on this and more, go to irishamericancivilwar.com

Alvan Gillem, James Wall Scully’s friend and mentor. Gillem rose to become a General before war’s end and continued in the regular army after 1865. (Library of Congress)

Camp near Corinth, Miss.

May 14th, 1862

My Dear Wife,

We are yet in front of the enemy and no battle- nothing more than some slight skirmishing. I have received no letter from you since I wrote you last but hope you are all well. Remember that if anything should occur requiring my immediate  notification that the telegraph is always with our headquarters. I wrote to you a few days ago, enclosing ten dollars to buy a carriage for Sissy- I hope you ave received it safe. I know that its “nice” to receive a little sum once in a while in a letter even if it is only a V.  You know it would be dangerous to trust more in a letter on account of the state of mail facilities here- I was worried almost to death the time I sent you the $150.00.

There is going to be a change in my career pretty soon. We are making up our papers to transfer everything in the Q.M.D. to Captain Nigh, A.Q.M. who is here- G. [Gillem] is going as Colonel of Volunteers. I got a peep of a telegram that he received yesterday from Governor Andrew Johnson of Tennessee. It stated that he was “this day appointed Colonel of the regiment raised at Nashville, known as the “Governor’s Guard” and to report to him without delay- he has not told me about it yet and of course does not suspect that I know- he will either accept that or the one in the Kentucky Cavalry. He takes it as a matter of course that I’ll go with him, and he don’t ask me whether I want to go or not.

He was for about a week (this month) very cross to me- in fact he treated me as you saw him treat Maggie- every thing I done was wrong, and everything I said he’d snap at me, but finally I got tired of it and told him that “as long as I could not please him, and as he could get much better clerks than I am, that I would go home”- Gracious! if you saw how quick he changed.

It is very hot here and as I have no hat I am getting very much sunburned. I’ll try and get a felt hat from Libby the first time I see him.

I suppose Sissy will be walking by the time I get home. You will soon be [weaning?] her now — can she eat yet? Talking about eating, I am half starved, nothing but hard crackers and pork. Capt. Gilbert 1st Infy. Major Gillem and myself mess together. Gilbert is caterer and is so stingy that we would have NOTHING only the cook gets things on his own hook. Of course, I can’t say anything.

How do you like living alone for so long- I have not seen a “female” for over a month- One Sunday I went down to Hamburg Landing, and there was a boatload of ladies from Louisville there and I had the greatest mind to “press some of them into service” and fetch them up to Camp. I believe I would have done so, but for the merciful mission the “Dear Angels” came on: to take care of the wounded.

I have a great many friends now amongst the high officers  of our Old Army, anyone of whom could procure me a Commission if they were at Washington. It is very hard to get the officials there to notice letters. Colonel Oakes comes over nearly every day to have a talk with me, whenever he has a late paper he brings it to me and I the same with him- G. [Gillem] remarked to me of the staff  “that if they wanted the news, to go to Col. Oakes or Scully”. He is very influential at Washington and he told me that if he had known me while he was at Washington, that he would have got me a Commission. You remember Spangler belonged to his company, and the time I went to Fort Inge, he was in command there- I know we’ll get along well anyhow and perhaps it is all  for the better that  it happened as it did- perhaps if I did stay in “K” Company, that I might be there now under Jock, as there was no dependence to be placed on French. When I see you, I’ll tell you all that Mrs G. told me.

Genl. Thomas was here yesterday, I only saw him for about a minute as he did not dismount and was talking with Genl. Buell. He remarked that I was “getting very stout.” I love old Genl. Thomas. Brecknridge is ordered to Fort Pickens. Who knows but  mine is on the way also and that I will go down south too, perhaps Key West- “It is better to live in hope than die in despair”,

P.S.

Dear Mary Anne,

I was in an awful stew for the last three weeks up to yesterday. The reason was as follows; 

I wrote a letter to the “Louisville Journal” from the battlefield (the reason I done so was I saw an article in that paper, saying that the new system of promotion was working well in the Army, and that no volunteer officers should be transferred to the regular army- I just thought that I might get command of a company from Gillem in his vol. regiment and that it would be a poor thing if that was going to keep me forever out of the regular army). After I sent it, I did not know whether I had put my name to it or “Old Soldier”. I knew that I meant to put “Old Soldier” in it, but in my haste I might just as soon have put “Yours etc. Scully” in it as anything else. Yesterday when I got the paper I can tell you that I felt exceedingly relieved when I saw that I was incognito, as it would subject me to a great deal of remarks if it was known that I wrote it. I enclose you the slip together with the Editor’s Comment  on it. I wish you would keep it safe as it took me four days to write it, and it is my first attempt at newspaper correspondence.

I must now conclude by sending you all my kindest love, and kisses for you and the little folks, and with the most sanguine hopes of seeing you soon.

I am your own,

Scully.

Camp near Corinth, Miss.

May 24th, 1862

My Own Dear Wife,

Capt. Gillem is very sick for the last four days but not dangerously. I think he will be sent to Nashville in a day or two until he gets well. They want him to go now, but he won’t go as we are hourly expecting the battle. Genl. Halleck is laying here in front of their works (but out of sight of them) trying to coax them out to attack us- they will soon have to come as their provisions are near out, and their men are coming over to us (deserting) by the hundred. It will save a great loss of life by us remaining as we are for at least another week.

I told you in my last letter about SOMETHING going to happen which will benefit us- I tell you again that it is progressing very favourably, and I think in another week I can tell you all about it. You may think it singular of me not telling you, but I have an idea that it was on account of us being so sanguine of the Commission that I did not get it.

I sent you a letter with ten dollars in it; did you get it? It was to buy a carriage for Sissy- if you have not bought it, don’t mind to for the present, as you may be moving. When I start for Baltimore I will let you know by telegraph. I hope Ally and the children are well, also Maria and husband . Is he Q.M. Sergt. yet?

I don’t feel like writing much, so I will conclude by sending yourself and the little ones my love and a dozen kisses, and I remain,

Your loving Husband,

Scully,

I‘ll write often to make up for the shortness.

In the next instalment of Scully letters he returns to Tennessee and receives further news about his commission, as well as moving closer to a potential reunion with his wife.

Further Reading

McCan, Anthony 2002. ‘James Wall Scully- A Kilkenny Soldier in the American Civil War’ in Ferguson, Kenneth (ed.)The Irish Sword: The Journal of the Military History Society of Ireland, Vol. 23, No.91, Summer 2002, pp. 141- 154

Camp near Hamburg, Tenn.

April 30th 1862

 My Dear Wife,     

We moved our camp on yesterday to this place which is about a mile south of Hamburg Landing on the Tenn. river. Just as we got fixed to stay for some time, an order came from Genl. Halleck that we should advance in the morning, as New Orleans is captured and the Rebels would be likely to try and evacuate Corinth, as they are now nearly surrounded. I am certain that six days will not pass over before we have a battle. If we whip them here we will not go any further south but cross over and meet Burnsides somewhere in South Carolina Chivalry… perhaps we might go to Charleston and then I might see my sisters. I am afraid  that this sudden move will put an end to my speculations of going to see you. When the order came to move last night, I was sent to Pittsburg Landing with a dispatch and, on my way back to Camp, I got lost in the woods, and as it was pitch dark I did not get back until morning.  I had no place to lie down as the mud was about 4 feet deep and you can guess how I suffered as  it commenced to rain about one oclock and kept it up until morning – I had no overcoat and got wet through – I felt so bad I actually cried to think all I have gone through and all for the one effect and then to see no sign of getting it. I told G. [Gillem] how I felt and he gave me his word that I would not be disappointed.  I cannot tell you on paper all  I have gone through and  all the danger I have gone through to serve the U.S. since I came out here, but please God I will  have a chance soon to tell you with your precious head resting on my arm. I came out  as clerk with Capt. Gillem and I have never yet been employed as such – I have to Soldier just as much as ever.

I am gong over to see Genl. Bob McCook in the afternoon, he sent for me this morning, he is going to write to Sec. Stanton for me. They are school-fellows and started in law together, and Bob saw my actions at Mill Springs where he expressed on the field that “he wished to God Scully had that battery of  Standerts”. I wish I could get to see you and I would go myself to Washington.

The two infantry companies from Key West are here. I went to see Libby the other day – he is well and looks first-rate – he won $1900.00  on the steamboat coming from St. Louis – all of “Black Lips”. He told me that Tully cut up fine at Key West after he got his appointment. He used to go charging up to the Saltpond every evening with Mrs Clapp and he got tight one day and went into nearly every Big House on the  Key – he thought his being an officer entitled him to go any place. He got into some rows and had to be brought home by [illegible] Libby has distinguished himself again at  Island No. 10. He was surprised to see me out here.

You must give my love to Ally and them all and with my love and innumerable kisses for you and Sissy, I remain,

Your loving Scully

Address as before, only put Army of the Ohio, Tenn. river.

Pittsburg Landing as it looked in April 1862. Sketch by Alfred Waud. (Library of Congress)

Camp on the road, 4 miles nearer Corinth than yesterday,

May 2, 1862

My Dear Mary Anne,

We changed our camp today again and came 4 miles nearer the enemy. This is the way Genl. Halleck intends to trap them, by advancing on them slowly so as to get them inside their “fortifications”, for once in there, we can easily “shell” them out, and when made to leave their works, they are beaten. The storming party always has the advantage over the besieged. We are hourly expecting the battle to come off and if we whip them here they will offer no more resistance in the West. What news from Yorktown? I suppose it is “ALL QUIET” there yet. The “Grand Army” is too slow for our day…

I have not received a letter from you in a long time, the last one was dated April 12th – I hope you have not delayed writing on account of me not sending you an envelope. I have none of my own and have to borrow them from G. [Gillem] I am sick with the diarrhoe but not very bad. It is on account of the “stench” while encamped  on the battleground – It was horrible! There must  have been  many of the wounded Rebels died on their retreat from the battle, as the road is strewn with graves. I counted 121 new made graves on the sides of the road today and one man was buried in the wagon track and one of our wagon wheels went right through him. Such is war!

I don’t know when I will see you, but you must take good care of yourself and Sissy, and if any sickness happens to appear at Fort McHenry again, move right away whatever it costs. It was that accursed place that took away my darling child! I have no news to tell you but that Genl. McCook wrote to Washington for me.

Give my love to all and I remain you loving,

Scully.

May 7th, 1862

My Dear Wife,

Before this reaches you, you will, in all probability, hear of a great battle or the “evacuation” of Corinth. I have not received a letter from you since the 12th of April, and I cannot imagine why. I am sure I wrote you enough since the Battle of Shiloh to convince you that I am still alive and of course expecting your letters, but perhaps it may be the fault of the mail, although we get them very regularly.

We have just heard of  the evacuation of Yorktown and the pursuit of  the enemy by McClelland. I am afraid they may come into Tennessee and surround our brave army before we get a chance at Beauregard, but we have one hundred and twenty thousand of as brave and as well disciplined troops as stands this earth; and all the Rebels in “Dixie” can’t clean them out now.

If the enemy are still at Corinth, we will commence the battle some time tomorrow. Some of the Generals think they have left there, as they went within a mile of the works today without encountering any pickets, but Genls. Buell and Halleck are too cautious to be caught in a trap and prefer disbelieving the report, and closing up on them gradually, than running the risk of being ambuscaded. This place is all a dense wood, and you could not see a half a mile ahead – so it is better to be ready for any emergency than to rush ahead.

Gillem has been promoted Colonel of the 3rd Kentucky Cavalry. He has accepted it and received his Commissions from the Governor. He has written to Washington for permission to take it and as Genl. Buell has approved of it, he has no doubt but that he will get it. Of course, he will still retain his position in the Regular Army, as the Colonelcy will only be for the war. I don’t know what he will do with me, but he asked me how I liked to go into the Vol. Cavalry – I said nothing – he takes it as a matter of course that I’ll go with him. I suppose he will either make me Adjutant or give me a Company. No account of my Comm. yet – NO MATTER.

I can’t imagine what is the reason I don’t get a letter from you. I have written every other day and it is now nearly a whole month since I heard from you. Why is it?

I must now close as I want to go to bed, and expect to be welcomed early by the booming of hostile cannon. I hope I will soon get a letter from you. Give my love to all and kiss my little darling child for me, and letter or no letter, I am

Your ever devoted,

Scully.

There are more letters to follow from James Wall Scully, as his attempt to receive a commission continues.

Further Reading

McCan, Anthony 2002. ‘James Wall Scully- A Kilkenny Soldier in the American Civil War’ in Ferguson, Kenneth (ed.)The Irish Sword: The Journal of the Military History Society of Ireland, Vol. 23, No.91, Summer 2002, pp. 141- 154

The 90th Illinois were raised around Chicago in the latter part of 1862, and spent the early portion of their war guarding the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. They next moved towards Vicksburg, although they did not take an active part in the siege which led to the city’s fall. They were involved at the siege of Jackson, but it was to be at Missionary Ridge in November 1863 that their baptism of fire took place. They took an active part in Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea and the March through the Carolinas, before rounding off their service by participating in the Grand Review in Washington in 1865.

Map of Europe showing nativity of members of the 90th Illinois Infantry (Information by Jim Swan, Illustration by Sara Nylund)

Jim compiled the data on the Legion using the Illinois Attorney General’s data and RG94 at the National Archives. The first set of information looks at the nativity of 950 non-commissioned officers and men in the regiment* with percentages calculated for each country based on the total number of soldiers:

The dominance of Irish-born soldiers is immediately apparent, representing 65.7% of the total number of enlisted men in the regiment (and 69.6% when those of no known nativity are excluded). This is a marginally higher figure than we see for the 23rd Illinois, where 43% of the total were of Irish birth (53.8% when unknown nativity are excluded). Generally though it must be said the proportional makeup of the 90th and 23rd Illinois are remarkably similar, with similar percentage representation from countries such as Germany and England evident. However, the 90th Illinois does have the edge in unusual minority countries, boasting both a Mexican and Hungarian on the regimental rolls!

Map of North America showing nativity of members of the 90th Illinois Infantry (Information by Jim Swan, Illustration by Sara Nylund)

The breakdown of data for the men born in the United States is of note, as only 150 men or 15.8% of the total (16.7% excluding unknown nativity) were born in the country where the war was fought. This contrasts with 407 men born in the United States out of the 1,585 examined in the 23rd Illinois, which represented 25.7% of the total for that regiment. In the 90th Illinois the state of birth is unknown for 41 of the men, which makes it difficult to draw any major conclusions from the distribution of men from within the United States. Nonetheless it is possible to say that more men were born in New York than any other State (38); the Empire State was also predominant in the 23rd Illinois. 32 of the men were born in the State where the regiment was raised, with Pennsylvania coming in third with ten representatives. It is important to remember that despite their birth in the United States, it is likely that at least some of these men viewed themselves as Irish-Americans and were part of that community, a situation probably mirrored amongst the 25 men of Canadian birth in the 90th.

The data that Jim has compiled makes it apparent that the 90th Illinois was indeed a strongly Irish regiment, perhaps marginally more so than the 23rd Illinois. The dominance of Irishmen born in Ireland (as opposed to being born into the Irish community in America) is of particular note, confirming that the unit was indeed ‘Chicago’s Irish Legion.’ The next post on the 90th Illinois will look at a breakdown of nativity by company, and will also examine the counties in Ireland that were represented in the ranks of the 90th Illinois Infantry.

*Includes 13 men who enlisted but did not muster

**Special thanks are due to Jim Swan for compiling this information and making it available to the site, and Sara Nylund for preparing the illustrations for the post.

References

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System

Illinois Adjutant General’s Report: Regimental and Unit Histories, Containing Reports for the Years 1861- 1866

Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database

Field of Shiloh,

 Tenn. river April 24,

 My Dear Wife,

I wrote to you several letters but owing to the irregularity of the mails to and from the point, I have got none from you of a later date than the 30th of March. I don’t blame you for the delay, as I know that you have sent me one for one and that they are all on the way now. The new appointments are out, and (as the paper says) on the way to the several “appointees”.  Genl. Thomas says that I may be sure of mine… the Sergeant Major of the 4th Cavalry and an Orderly Sergeant of one of the Companys here are also expecting appointments, as they were recommended some time since.

James Wall Scully in later life (Photo Courtesy of Anthony McCan)

Who do you think was here at our camp today ?  Bill Mumes … he belongs to the 4th Regular Cavalry and is at present  one of the Sergeants of Genl. Halleck’s Body Guard. He looks MAGNIFICENT and has not tasted a “drop” of liquor since  he left Company K.  He was splendidly dressed and looked “every inch” a soldier. I felt proud of him. He was astonished to see me. He never mentioned a word about Mrs. M. He had along with him that Jim Davis you used to speak so much about, he is Orderly Sergeant of a Missouri Vol. Battery.

I have been sick for the last two days but I am much better this evening, all in our camp are more or less sick. We will change camp in a day or two. The Rebels are still at Corinth but we have them nearly surrounded now… the first thing you know you will hear of the crowning feat of the war, by our Western Army. I will try to go see you on the 1st of the month… I cannot stay any longer. I hope that thing will come before then, but come or come not, I will try to go.

Mrs. Gillem is still at Nashville, the Secesh are annoying her very much. I suppose you were worried when you first heard the news of  our great battle, but I had a “narrow escape” like the Irishman that had such a narrow escape  from being drowned when the steamboat was lost. He “didn’t go in the boat”. I did not go into the battle, because I was not let, but I got there just as they were firing the last rounds after the “flying foe”, and I was sorry that I did go up there, for I saw the most heart-rending sights I ever saw in the course of my life.

I expect to get a letter from you tomorrow and I will write again soon. In the meantime give my love to Ally and the children. Kiss Sissy ten times for Papa and I will do all the kissing for you when we meet. Until then, of course I am,

Your Dear,

Scully.

Field of Shiloh,

Tenn. river,

25th April 1862,

My Dear Wife,

… I sent you a slip of paper with the names of those brevetted at Mill Springs, but of course my name could not be amongst them as brevetted — I have hopes yet. You say Col. Morris’ son received an appointment. I want you not to make any fuss over mine  until I get it, for those Big Officers are so prejudiced against a poor person getting up with themselves that they might use their influence to keep us down and Col. Morris is one of that kind. Why, the very worst thing that I could, or rather you could do, would be to write Secretary Stanton such a letter as you say.

In the first place it would be telling him that I had a wife, although they pretend to say that it makes no difference in time of war, still it might have an influence against me. It certainly would not be in my favour.

None of my recommendations mentioned about me having a wife. In the next place, after letting him know that I had one, you would be making him think that I had deserted you by not informing you of my whereabouts and how I never etc. etc..  It would never do — I will wait for time to develop my good or ungood fortune.

I am going to try and go see you after the first of the month. I think I may get leave, although G. [Gillem] hates to let me out of his sight, particularly in THAT direction, for fear I might not come back. He is confident that I will get a commission. If I don’t, Secretary Stanton and all his proclamations are sheer humbugs.

That is an excellent letter that my “Teutonic” brother had written for me — Why was it that he did not send it?  If I get to vacate this place, I will try to get it for him, although the only objection I would have to it would be to bring Maria within range of  Mrs G.  You can form an idea of the result. I am very glad to hear of Julia being so good at the piano. I hope she will be able to play “Dixie” for me when I go there. I am more comfortable today than I have been for some time although it has been raining all night and up to this time. I have a stove in my tent and a table to write on, which I have not had since I left Nashville.

Since writing the above, I have been to dinner, and such a dinner! Some fried pork, some fried  Hominy and a biscuit and not even a cup of coffee. G. myself and Capt. Gilbert mess together, Capt. Gilbert is caterer and is the stingiest individual you ever saw, he has us almost starved out, but anyway we can’t get much good things out here and if they can stand it, I can also. It will all come good when it comes to settle the bill.

We will soon have another big battle, although some are of the opinion that the Rebels will evacuate Corinth. Only for the rain we would be after them today —a reconnoitring party went out yesterday about six miles and came on a camp of about 3000 Rebels.  Our party killed fifteen and took 24 prisoners, the others ran away, leaving their camp and everything in it. We collected all the property of any account and then burned the camp and returned to  this place last night… Gen Halleck was to advance this morning but for the rain. We will move our camp in a day or two also for last night the most awful stench my proboscis ever encountered prevailed throughout this Camp — we must move.

I will now close by sending my love and also to Sister and the young ones, and, expecting soon to have the pleasure of pressing you to my heart,

I remain,

Your loving husband, 

Scully.

The next series of letters will appear in a follow-up post, as the army moves camp, and pressure is applied to the Confederate forces in Corinth. James Wall Scully still seeks his long hoped for commission.

Further Reading

McCan, Anthony 2002. ‘James Wall Scully- A Kilkenny Soldier in the American Civil War’ in Ferguson, Kenneth (ed.)The Irish Sword: The Journal of the Military History Society of Ireland, Vol. 23, No.91, Summer 2002, pp. 141- 154

“When it comes to just plain hard fighting, I would rather trust old Mike Lawler than any of them” – Ulysses S. Grant, military commander and 18th President of the United States of America.

General Michael Kelly Lawler

Major General Michael Kelly Lawler was one of the 150,000 or so Irishmen who fought in the bloody conflict that was the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865. He was, however, County Kildare’s only general and a very unconventional one at that. He was a huge man, weighing almost 18 stone, usually fought in his shirt sleeves and is said to have sweated profusely. His sword belt was not long enough to go around his rotund waist so he wore it by a strap from one shoulder.

And yet he led from the front, inspiring the men of the 18^th Illinois Infantry to become one of the Union Army’s most redoubtable fighting units. General Ulysses S. Grant, commanding President Lincoln’s vast army in the conflict with the Confederate South, was one of Lawler’s greatest admirers.

Lawler’s date of birth is recorded as November 14, 1814, but, as of yet, there is no additional information to aid researchers in identifying what area of the “Short Grass County” he hails from. American records do, however, detail his parents as John Lawler and Elizabeth Kelly and note that the family left Kildare for America when Michael was just two years-old. The Lawler’s eventually settled in Gallatin County, southern Illinois.

By the time that the Southern U.S. States rose up against Lincoln’s government in 1861, Lawler was already a veteran of one war, having served as a captain during the Mexican-American War thirteen years earlier. Little wonder then that he volunteered to command the recruits being mustered from his local region.

Initially commissioned a colonel, Lawler did not suffer fools and had even less patience with his men’s poor discipline. His 18^th Illinois Infantry unit, training locally at Camp Mound City, developed an unwanted reputation for drunk and disorderly behaviour. Lawler, no doubt growing impatient with army procedures, decided to take matters into his own hands.

In August 1861, Lawler introduced supervised fist fighting into the regiment as a manner of resolving disputes and was often heard to threaten to “knock down” any miscreants under his command. He sent a “present” of whiskey laced with a nausea-inducing chemical to some of his men who were in prison for drunkenness. Lawler also appointed a Catholic priest as Chaplin to the regiment despite protests from the majority of his men who were of a Protestant persuasion. Probably his most controversial act occurred in October 1861 when he withheld any objection to the summary execution of a soldier in his ranks who had shot dead a colleague in a drunken rage.

Lawler was court-martialled for these acts and convicted but was soon restored to command after he successfully appealed the decision. Mike Lawler had many friends in the military that stood as character references, Grant included. While not condoning his unorthodox methods, there seems to have been an understanding of his motives among many fellow officers.

General Michael Kelly Lawler Memorial, Equality, Illinois

Nevertheless, by the time his Illinois men went into combat, Lawler had formed an infantry unit that would become renowned for their fighting capabilities, equally matching the reputation of their commander. At the Battle of Fort Donelson in 1862, Lawler was wounded in the arm and deafened, some same permanently, by an exploding shell. However within two months, he was back leading from the front, and later directed his men during sustained and prolonged attacks on Vicksburg, a Confederate-controlled fortress city.

Having again narrowly missed death on May 16, 1863, the next day was to be Lawler’s finest moment as he led his men in a gallant and rapid advance on Rebel entrenchments. Too overweight to run, Lawler rode on horseback in advance of the charge; he and his men moving with such speed that they broke the entire Confederate line resulting in a famous Union victory. The fight, called the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, sealed Vicksburg’s fate.

Lawler was promoted to Brigadier General but illness plagued him. By 1864, he was declared unfit for duty and returned home. He spent his retired years buying and selling horses before dying in 1882 at the age of 68. Kelly Lawler is buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery near Equality, Illinois.

Although Michael Kelly Lawler is a relative unknown in his native Kildare, the citizens of the State of Illinois have long remembered his deeds. Lawler Park, near Chicago’s Midway International Airport, is called after the big Castledermot man and there is also a large memorial of stone and bronze erected to his memory near his American home in Equality.

A small group of historians have begun a campaign to inform the Irish public of the deeds and sacrifices that so many from Ireland, like Michael Kelly Lawler, made during the American Civil War and also to highlight places of interest in Ireland connected to that iconic war. Further details may be found at www.irishacwtrail.com

References

Ambrose, Stephen E. 1997. Americans at War

Lowry, Thomas P. & Davis, William C. 2003. Curmudgeons, Drunkards, and Outright Fools: The Courts-Martial of Civil War Union Colonels

John O'Mahony, Head Centre of the Fenian movement in the United States (Image via Wikipedia)

In the Spring of 1862, if you appeared outside the hospital tent of the 63rd New York Infantry on Sunday night, you were about to enter into the meeting of a secret revolutionary movement- the Army of the Potomac Circle of the Fenian Brotherhood of America. Why a hospital tent? Inside was the Head Centre of the Fenian circle, Surgeon Laurence “Larry” Reynolds from Co. Waterford. Reynolds came from the old ’48 movement, was forced out of Ireland, moved to England, became a Chartist, found things uncomfortable and moved to America. When the Civil War broke out, Reynolds was commissioned an Assistant-Surgeon in the 24th New York- and upstate New York American regiment. When he realized the Irish Brigade was set on fighting more than Confederates, Reynolds transferred into the 63rd New York as a Surgeon and was sworn into the Fenian Brotherhood in 1862. James McKay Rorty, born in Donegal Town, a staff officer for General Hancock, filled the second slot- Recording Secretary. Rorty, who enlisted as a private in the 69th New York National Guard in 1861, was captured at First Bull Run, and made a daring escape from Libby prison in Richmond. Returning to New York, Rorty trained as an artillery officer. He served as ordnance officer of the Second Corps, overseeing the artillery. A third key officer was Lieutenant John Whitehead Byron. Byron had served in K Company, 69th New York National Guard during the ninety day campaign. Returning to New York, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 88th New York. These three men, along with Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Gleason of the 63rd New York, a former Papal soldier, would be the leadership spreading Fenianism through the Army of the Potomac.

James Stephens, Head Centre of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (Image via Wikipedia)

After sitting down, the members received Irish whiskey sometimes laced with a sprig of shamrock. This was followed by poetry or prose from the cultural Larry Reynolds- older than the other officers at sixty. The Potomac Circle was directly connected to the Fenian Brotherhood headed by John O’Mahony in New York City. The Circle had two main aims: gaining recruits willing to fight back in Ireland after the war and contributions from members who joined or Irish soldiers sympathetic to the cause. Reynolds would encourage members to open new circles and collect money. James Stephens, the leader of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was constantly harassing O’Mahony for more money.

Other members included Major P.J. Downing and Captain William O’Shea of the 42nd New York, both tied up with the Phoenix society in Co. Cork. Captain William Nagle, 88th New York, Lieutenant Maurice Fitzharris and Lieutenant Morgan Doheny, the youngest son of the old 1848 rebel, were expected to start new circles and spread the word. Sending dues and money to New York was the first priority.

Officers on leave would take the money back to Fenian headquarters in New York City for distribution to Stephens through O’Mahony. If several officers from the circle were back in the city on leave, the Potomac Circle held meetings at the Whitney House on Broadway where John Byron lived.

James McKay Rorty, Recording Secretary of the Army of the Potomac Circle (Image Brian Pohanka: James McKay Rorty, An Appreciation)

What would motivate and Irish-American to join the Fenian Brotherhood with so much death in front of him in the Civil War? Lieutenant John W. Byron, from Co. Cork, expressed his feelings in a eulogy to Captain Patrick Clooney, a former Papal soldier from Co. Waterford, who was killed at Antietam on 17th September 1862 with the 88th New York:

“The news of his death spread rapidly through the regiment, and many a manly, fearless heart, that never before an enemy quaked before, trembled at the sad intelligence…The rudely carved and lettered cross of wood that marks his last resting place, whereon is written ‘He like a soldier fell’ speaks more unto the thinking mind than the grandest marble monument in Westminster, upon whose polished face the pomp of woe is exhausted by the sculptor’s art, telling of those who rest below, what they have never been.”

However, casualties at Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg changed the personnel of the circle quickly. Captain Rorty was killed at the end of the Confederate barrage on 3rd July 1863 at Gettysburg. Captain Billy O’Shea was wounded three times and his brother Danny was killed when the 42nd New York rushed forward to help the 69th Pennsylvania at the Bloody Angle- the climax of Pickett’s Charge. While recuperating from his wounds in New York City, Captain O’Shea attended the summer picnic of the Fenian Brotherhood.

John Whitehead Byron, Successor to James McKay Rorty as Recording Secretary of the Army of the Potomac Circle (New York Public Library Digital Gallery)

Captain Byron replaced Rorty as the Recording Secretary of the Potomac Circle. Still the circle continued to recruit new men. Captain Billy O’Shea swore in Cork City man Captain William Davis, of the 69th Pennsylvania near Cold Harbor, Virginia in 1862. Captain Joseph Gleason, 63rd New York from Tipperary was sworn into the circle in 1863. Lieutenant Galwey who joined the 8th Ohio from the Cleveland Hibernian Rifles had problems at home. His mother, a devout Catholic, listened to her priest and felt the Fenian Brotherhood was a secret society like the Freemasons and outlawed by the Church. She wanted her son to resign from what she saw as the evil group of Fenians. Eventually Galwey’s resolve faded away and he chose not to return to Ireland with his friends.

It wasn’t until 1864, when there was a stagnant period during the siege at Petersburg, that many new circles and members began to see Fenianism on the horizon. Lieutenant-Colonel Gleason from Co. Cork recruited two new officers from the 63rd New York. Canadian born Captain Michael Kelleher who had served as an enlisted man in the 37th New York Irish Rifles, Captain James McQuaide, an Irish-American from Utica, New York were also sworn into the brotherhood at this time. Kelleher went to the north of Ireland but McQuaide lost a leg and never left America.

New circles were formed with enlisted men in charge. However one enlisted man’s circle, the Gleason Sub-Circle, caused much trouble in Ireland later. The Head Centre was John J. Corridan from the 63rd New York. Caught by detectives in Ireland he turned informer and identified many Fenian officers. But neither recruits nor money could solve the rift between James Stephens and John O’Mahony. As the first Fenians were sent back to Ireland in 1865, O’Mahony’s status crumbled. There were rumours of fraud and embezzlement which nailed his coffin shut. Eventually Stephens took over and the American officers were so displeased they wished to kill him.

References

Galwey, Thomas Francis (edited by W.S. Nye) 1961. The Valiant Hours: An Irishman in the Civil War: Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Ramon, Marta 2007. A Provisional Dictator: James Stephens and the Fenian Movement

New York Irish-American (1861-1866 issues)

American Civil War Recruitment Poster for The Phoenix Regiment (Civil War Treasures from the New York Historical Society, via Library of Congress)

In December 1854, as many as 30,000 Irishmen were embodied to form part of the Militia Regiments for the defence of the United Kingdom during the Crimean War. Many of these units were to remain in this state of embodiment until 1860, meaning that the men in these amateur regiments came to be seen as highly efficient soldiers, and this was particularly the case of the 2nd, North Tipperary Artillery Militia, who were even considered as suitable candidates for conversion to a professional artillery regiment. This was not to be the case and thus the majority of these Tipperary men went back to their locality, many, it would seem, in some frustration.

The unit’s ‘Digest of Service’ records that two years after the end of their embodiment, ‘the Civil War in America, which had now lasted several months, tempted large numbers of men to go to that country, particularly such as were known to be well-drilled soldiers, to whom most tempting inducements were held out by agents who visited Ireland for the purpose, and their efforts had the more success from the want of any kind of employment for labourers in this country’. As a result of this, it is recorded that many men of this militia regiment enlisted to fight in America, some of those returning to once again serve as amateur soldiers in their native land. Similar examples are seen in other Irish Militia units, such as the Westmeath Militia. However, very little official documentation is available, owing to the difficulty in prosecuting anyone under the Foreign Enlistment Act. Owing to this lack of official evidence the author would greatly appreciate any information, or, indeed, other examples of former Irish Militiamen serving in America during the Civil War period.

If you have any information that you think might be of use to Will please email at irishamericancivilwar@gmail.com for his details or leave a comment on this post.

On the 9^th December 1863  the Union Steamship Circassian captured the blockade runner Minna off Charleston. The Minna was towed into Hampton Roads where its cargo was disposed of. One of the curious items onboard the Minna  was a consignment of bibles which had been in short supply since the outbreak of the war. The Circassian itself was a former blockade runner which had been captured earlier in the war. She had been an emigrant ship prior to the war and had served the Galway to New York route.

An 1862 Harper's Weekly engraving of captured blockade runners: The 'Circassian' is in the right foreground (Naval History and Heritage Command)

The Minna was apparently part owned by the Malcomsons of Portlaw, Co. Waterford, who were cotton merchants that had a workforce of over 2000 in their Waterford mill. As the war progressed two sons of the mill manager were dispatched to the South to try and reclaim some of the large amounts of money owed to the Malcomsons by the Confederate government. The two unfortunate men were never heard from again and their fate is unknown. The Malcomsons had by necessity backed the South, a decision which led to the eventual ruin of their business empire.

Due to its nature information on blockade running is scarce and the author of this post would greatly appreciate more information on the eventual fate of the Minna or any blockade runner with Irish connections. James Doherty can be reached at jamesandrewdoherty@gmail.com